Can-opener.



W. T. FAVORITE.

CAN OPENER. APPLICATION FILED JULY 13, 1908'.

922,1 1 7, Patented May 18 1909.

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WILLIAM T. FAVORITE,

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OF STURGIS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND EDWARD B.

GRAY, OF STURGIS, MICHIGAN, COPARTNERS AS FIRM OF UTILITY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF STURGIS, MICHIGAN.

CAN-OPENER.

Application filed July 13,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IVILLIAM T. FAVORITE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sturgis, Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Openers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in can openers.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved double blade can-opener that is economical to manufacture and effective in use, and which presents a finished article at a minimum cost, both for material and labor.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and point ed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my im proved can opener, the same being shown in its operative relation with a can of wellknown type, the can being illustrated in conventional form. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of my improved can opener. Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof, a can being indicated by dotted lines to show the operative relation of the parts. Fig. l is a cross section taken on a line corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

In the drawings, similar reference'numer als refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing, my improved can opener comprises a handle 1, formed from a strip of metal folded upon itself, as illustrated, its ends being brought together to form a shank 2, and being provided with offset portions 3 forming shoulders at the inner end of the shank. The end of the shank is cut square across with one corner oblique for the purpose of securing the best form of fulcrum for the lever-like action of the canopener. Blades 4 are arranged one on each side of the shank, their inner ends abutting against the shoulders 3, and secured to the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 18, 1909.

1908. Serial No. 443,335.

I shank by means of the rivets 5, the rivets passing through both blades, as illustrated. This forms a very secure fastening for the blades, and at the same time, a very simple one presenting a smooth surface without raw edges at any point to injure the hand of the user, and avoiding inaccessible crevices. The blades are shouldered on the under side to reduce the same to the size of the shank, and in this way they form a sort of neck which enables the ready insertion of the blade deep into the can to facilitate the cutting opera tion. The cutting portions of the blades are curved outwardly, and their cutting edges 6 are preferably curved downwardly, as illustrated. By thus arranging the blades, one serves as a guide when the other is used in cutting, thus adapting the opener for use with either hand with equal facility. The cutting portions of the blades being curved outwardly enables the cutting out of the top so that no flange or rim is left upon the can, which allows the contents of the can to read ily slip out of the can, which is of very great advantage, as will be obvious in articles such as fruits, where it is desired not to break or tear the same, and in such articles as canned salmon, meats and the like where it is desir able that they be removed from the can without being torn to pieces.

In use, the inner of the blades is punched through the top of the can close to the edge thereof, and the can cut with a lever-like movement of the handle, the end of the shank resting on the edge of the can serving as a fulcrum. With very little care or skill on the part of the operator, the blade can be easily guided and held so that the top is re moved without leaving any inwardly projecting portion of the top on the can body, producing a clean and smooth out.

Owing to the particular form of the 'l'ulcrum which is indicated. by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, a strong leverage is secured in starting the blade and a rapid cut at the close. This is also of advantage in the event that an obstruction is encountered, such as a drop of solder, or an increased thickness due to the presence of a scam, as it enables the can opener to be brought close to it and by a strong cut effected to sever it when the blade,

assing the obstruction, will cut freely through the thinner metal.

My improved can opener is very simple and economical in structure and can be produced economically. By making the handle and blade of separate parts, steel properly tempered and of the proper quality can be made use of for the blade, and less eXpensive and more flexible metal can be made use of for the handle; The parts being assembled as indicated, are easily secured together by a pair of rivets, when the joints thus secured can be dressed off on an emery wheel and a smooth finished surface presented, making a tool that is very cleanly for use which is highly desirable in a tool of this kind.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A can opener comprising a handle made of a strip of metal folded upon itself, and offset toward the center at each end to form a centrally located shank which is out obliquely to form a suitable fulcrum for the action of the tool; a pair of blades arranged on the o posite sides of b said shank and secured tlifereto by suitable rivets, the said blades being curved outwardly at their outward ends and reduced in size at their inner ends on the under side to correspond to the shank of the said handle, each of said blades being arranged to serve as a guide for the other in use, coacting as specified.

2. In a can opener, the combination of a handle made u 3 of a strip of metal folded upon itself an having a centrally formed shank with offset ortions in proximity thereto; a pair of b ades arranged on the opposite sides of said shank and suitably secured thereto by rivets, the inner end of the shank bein suitably formed to serve as a fulcrum, and tne said blades being curved downwardly at their outer ends, the arrangement of the blades being such that the one blade serves as a guide for the other in use.

3. A can opener comprising a handle and shank portion, made up of a strip of metal folded upon itself, and a pair of blades ar ranged on opposite sides of said shank and secured thereto by suitable means, the said blades being curved outwardly at their outer ends and arranged so that one blade serves as a guide for the other in use.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnessesi WILLIAM T. FAVORITE. L. 8.]

Witnesses L. G. GREENFIELD, J. E. WALKER. 

